State upholds firing of Andrew Shirvell, former assistant attorney general who waged campaign against gay U-M student

AP file photoIn this Sept. 7, 2010 photo, University of Michigan alumnus and assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell speaks about the University of Michigan's student assembly president Chris Armstrong at a Michigan Student Assembly meeting in Ann Arbor.

Saying Andrew Shirvell engaged in "hate speech" and "mental and physical harassment," a state hearing officer has upheld the 2010 firing of the former assistant attorney general, the Associated Press reports.

Shirvell was dismissed by then-Attorney General Mike Cox when Shirvell's campaign against an openly gay student government leader, Chris Armstrong, became national news.

Shirvell appealed the decision, arguing his conduct -- which included a blog accusing Armstrong of promoting a "radical homosexual agenda" -- was protected by the First Amendment.

In a decision dated March 21, William Hutchens with the Michigan Civil Service Commission reflected badly on the attorney general's office. At the time of Shirvell's firing, Cox said the decision had nothing to do with Shirvell exercising his free speech rights, but rather was because he lied to investigators during a disciplinary hearing and used office resources while waging his online campaign.